GMRS Programming A TK-390

[Jaxco]

There are only 2 repeaters in my area, do I need to set the +5Mhz offset in my radio on those channels just as I would do on my ham radio?

 

[kayn1n32008]

There are only 2 repeaters in my area, do I need to set the +5Mhz offset in my radio on those channels just as I would do on my ham radio?

LMR does not use 'offsets' you need to independently program the receive and transmit frequencies, as well as PL/DPL(QT/DQT in Kenwood speak)

While this is not the software for the TK-390, it will use the same terminology.

Example:

Ch-1 462.5500(RX) 467.5500(TX) 114.8(RX QT) 114.8(TX QT)
Ch-2 462.6250(RX) 467.6250(Tx) 446N(RX QDT) 446N(Tx QDT)

The radio does not


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[mmckenna]

If you want to use the repeaters you do. The input to them will be 467.xxx, the output will be 462.xxx. The TK-390 programs by putting in the receive frequency and the transmit frequency separately, it probably won't do an automatic offset like the amateur radios do.

I've got a TK-290, and the VHF offsets are not standardized like they are on UHF, so putting it all in manually is the way to do it. I've never looked to see if the 390 defaults the TX frequency 5MHz up. I'm still using the DOS software, so not sure if the Windows software is different in that area.

 

[ecps92]

Not quite true. My Icom H16 and U16 use offset

LMR does not use 'offsets' you need to independently program the receive and transmit frequencies, as well as PL/DPL(QT/DQT in Kenwood speak)

While this is not the software for the TK-390, it will use the same terminology.

Example:

Ch-1 462.5500(RX) 467.5500(TX) 114.8(RX QT) 114.8(TX QT)
Ch-2 462.6250(RX) 467.6250(Tx) 446N(RX QDT) 446N(Tx QDT)

The radio does not


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[ecps92]

Yes the input for anything in the 450-470 range would be + 5Mhz
Offset - The RadioReference Wiki

There are only 2 repeaters in my area, do I need to set the +5Mhz offset in my radio on those channels just as I would do on my ham radio?

 

[Jaxco]

Thanks, just didn't want to be illegal and every other GMRS radio I have used in the past was pre-programmed. My only experience programming was on HAM frequencies where repeaters are often added, removed or tones change.

I know that the 467.xxx GMRS higher power frequencies are never to be used for simplex conversations, so I was hesitant when setting TX frequency in that range even though my rx frequency was one of the 462 channels.

Based on this info, I am certain my settings are right, including tone, because the principle is the same with the HAM radios but for some reason I am not hitting the repeater.

 

[kayn1n32008]

Not quite true. My Icom H16 and U16 use offset

Ahhh yes, I forgot about those old things. I have not touched or used one in over 11 years. I have fond memories of those radios. Although they do use offsets for transmit, I think they are one of the very few.




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[Project25_MASTR]

Yes the input for anything in the 450-470 range would be + 5Mhz
Offset - The RadioReference Wiki

It really depends. I've seen 4 MHz and sometimes 6 MHz splits on UHF (obviously not on GMRS).

 

[nd5y]

I've seen 4 MHz and sometimes 6 MHz splits on UHF (obviously not on GMRS).

Like what exactly?

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Like what exactly?

Stuff like city municipalities. Most of it is stuff they had before they had repeaters and then they decided to use two frequencies for a repeater.

I'm actually working on a local ISD's stuff that is setup like that as well.

 

[ecps92]

In the US >>> ??

It really depends. I've seen 4 MHz and sometimes 6 MHz splits on UHF (obviously not on GMRS).